Splendora gets stamina test in Fleur de Lis

Splendora was a convincing winner of the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (G1) last fall, but success in Saturday's $500,000 Fleur de Lis (G2) at Churchill Downs could open the doors for another Breeders' Cup target at Keeneland in October.

The Fleur de Lis, over 1 1/8 miles, is a "Win & You're In" Breeders' Cup Challenge event for the Distaff (G1). In order to claim that automatic bid, Splendora will have to outrun four others over a distance she's had limited experience over.

Indeed, Splendora has traveled nine furlongs only once. She was soundly beaten by stablemate Seismic Beauty in the 2025 Santa Margarita (G2) and subsequently concentrated on sprinting. But since her Breeders' Cup success, Splendora has stretched out twice, taking the Beholder Mile (G1) and the 1 1/16-mile Shawnee (G2) at Churchill by 2 3/4 lengths over returning rival Immersive, the champion juvenile filly of 2024.

In addition to Immersive, who has never finished worse than second in nine starts, Splendora will also have to beat Shred the Gnar, who ran her record to 4-for-6 with a one-length triumph in the La Troienne (G1) on May 1. Less exposed than her rivals, Shred the Gnar is undefeated in three starts over the Churchill strip.

Regaled, last year's Delaware H. (G3) winner and Breeders' Cup Distaff third, has been well beaten in her last two starts, while In Just My Heels looks overmatched class-wise.

Lagynos seeks his fifth stakes win of the season in the $500,000 Wise Dan (G2) going 1 1/16 miles on the turf. He faces a largely familiar cast including Chasing the Crown, whom he narrowly defeated by a nose in the Opening Verse S. two back.

Looking to avenge his fourth-place finish in last year's Wise Dan is Fort Washington, who exits a win in the Dinner Party (G3) at Laurel. Fort Washington is likely using the Wise Dan as a final prep for his title defense of the Arlington Million (G1) at Colonial Downs in early August.

Cornucopian will look to follow up his recent success in the Aristides (G3) in the $275,000 Bango (G3) over 6 1/2 furlongs. Lining up against him are the California-based Dr. Venkman, who finished third in the Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) when last seen; Built, an impressive allowance winner in two of his last three starts; and Grade 3 veteran Extra Anejo.

The $275,000 American Derby at 1 1/16 miles on the turf is led by the Penn Mile (G3) one-two of Alpyland and Immortalised, with Cinema S. winner Bust Out invading from California. The $275,000 Tepin S., for three-year-old fillies at one mile on the turf, marks the return of Miss Grillo (G2) heroine Ground Support, third in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1) most recently. Final Accord and Tam Tam are other leading contenders.

Just Basking and Way to Be Marie shorten up from longer races in the $275,000 Anchorage S., a nine-furlong grass test for fillies and mares. Set to oppose them are upset Gallorette (G3) winner Warming and Pin Up Betty, who is winless in six starts since the 2025 Anchorage.